Section 8

Magick fas feme define it) is the high- id, moft abrolntejanddivineft knowledge of Natural Philofophy advanced in its wonderful works and operations, by a right underftanding of the inward and occult vcrtue of thingsjfo that trueagentft; being applied to proper Paticnt8,ftrangc arid admirable tff^Ct^ will thereby be produced ; whence Magitians are pro- found and diligent fearchcrs into Na- ture
cfthe Rpfecruciam. 9 %
are 5 they becaafe of their skill know now to anticipate an efFeft which to the Vulgar ftiall feem a miracle : As if any iDnc (hall make Ro(es bud m December^ fcTrecs to flourifti in Jattuarj ; (hall caufe Li Vintage in May^ produce Thunder and klaine in the Aire 5 as Jeh. Baftifta ferta Itcacheth lib. 2, Jh Magia. naturali 5 alfo ' ^Ko^er Bacon did the fame; Jul'ms Ca^ \ millus a man to whom we may give credit, affirms that he faw a childe for- med by an Alembick, which lived fome hours : a very Orange thing, if true* Ccelius de Budda writes, that he brought forth a Virgin out of his fide ; but we leave the fe things as. we found them, wc will not difpute the truth of them. W^ need not i^and longer upon the praife of Magick, it being ©f it felfe fo honour- able^ but yet this noble Science doth oftentimes degenerate, and from Natural becomes Diabolical, from true Philofo- phy turns to Negromancyj which is wholly to be charged upon its foil ower«j who abufing or not being capable of that high and myftical knowledge, do immediately hearken to the temptatit^ns of Satan, and are milled by him into rftc ftudy of the black Art. Hence it is that
Magick
9 2 ^he JUyJienes andLawes
Magick lies under difgrace^ and they who feek after it are vulgarly cfteemed Sor- tl cerers ; wherefore the Brethren thought it not fie to ftile themfelves Magicians 5 butPhilofophers they are not ignorant Enipiricks, but learned and experienced Pbyiitians, whofe remedies are not onely lawful bur divine : and thus we have at large difcourfed of their firft Law^
Chaf. XIII.
of the fecond Lavo of the Fraternity of the R. C. viz. ihat none of the Brethren fi all be enjoyned one ha* bit^hutmdy fiiit themfelves to the Cuftome and Mode of thofe Conn* tries in which they are.
MAny perhaps may blame my pro- lixity upon the firft Law; to whom I (hall anfwer, that weighty bufjnefles are not to be perfunftorily run over; twnfaftions in the little World may
onely
of ibe RofecTHcia^f. 93
oncly dcferve to be touched upon, but the affairs of the great World ought to have an anfwerablc coniidcration ; Co that I muft ncceffarily crave pardon for my brevity, because I could not wrap up the due commendations of (iich fubjeds in fo narrow a compafle.
This fccond Law gives birth to the firft ', for without it the Brethren would have no opportunity of doing good, who by its benefit are fecure and fear no danger : for as a Bird although it fing- ethnot, is known by the colour of its feather j fo every one accufloming him- felf to one Habit is thereby diftinguiftied. We findein Hiftory that many by their enemies have been difcovered by their apparel, and the difguife hath oftentimes procured liberty. Otho being overcome and making his efcape by Sea was taken by Pirates, who not knowing him be- caufe he had changed his cloaths, fuffe- red him to ranfbm himfelfc
On the contrary King Richard com' iiig back from the Holy Land, affairs be- ing there illy managed and to the dif- pleafureofmany,efpecially the DukeoC /^w/?r;5paffing with his Navy by the Adri' a$Kk^ Sea was difcryed and became a
prey
94 JheMyftems and Ldms
prey tothefaid E)ukc9 who wasforccdiKi to redeem himfelf, to pay a vaft fiim of fc money ; and he was known and found la out by his garments, ^t
If danger attends Kings and great per- jit fons in fi^ch cafes, much worfe would be Jn( the condition of private men If they fe fliould have fo fad a rcftraint upon them. L Men in meane apparel do not feare the [ attempts of Robbers, neither do they fe fufpeft a poifoned glaflc 5 whereas Po- |)y tentatesareaprey tothe one, and very fcf often are taken away by the other. |o
Beiides a poor habit is fuiEcientto cover Learning, and a Cottage may be- -come Wifdomcs habitation ; nay mens parts and abilities are cenfured by their outiide, and that which is willingly concealed muft not have a bejng ; tis a Courtier who muft onely be accounted a Schollar; but indeed the foul is cloath'd with the body, which to adde ornament to it needs no help of Taylours or Pain- ters, it is grac'd with true Philofophy, and fecret Arts are its glory.
Margaretha a Queen of France is faid tohavekiffed the beautiful foul of Jla- 9tus a Philofopher when he was afleep thorow his body, the which aftion being
much
of the Kofecruchm. 9 5
kuch admired ac 5 fte anfwered that ftjc len perceived not ihc deformity of his ody^being ravifhed with the amiableneCs f hisfoul.Thus we ic^ that a gallant fpi- it may dwell in an unhandforae hoirfr) ndthata poor habit may be worneby It moft excellent and profound Philo- Dpher.
There are yet many reafons which nay jperfwadeto a decent cloathing, for y every vulgar eye the minde is judged fby the garment; but we in other iooks have largely treated of this fabje^. T^ery many have inftead of modeft and omely apparrel run into cxceiTcj as Pe/^- ea Wife to Nero, and Cleopatra Queea )iEg)ft to fet forth their beauty i but his is not commendable, fince Se^ecas uleistobe obferved which requires a luc moderation.
Our Brethren change their Habit for I vertUQUs end, which as it is not gaudy, bit is not contemptible; they are al- vaycs civilly clad, and not affededly, hey are efpecially careful of ciieinfide, hat their hearts are reall and honefl> leither would they impofe on any -^y :heir aftions*
There are many i^^aie j by which men Hwy
be
5 6 iheMyfteries and Lawcs
be deluded, as by a Fallacy, Equivoca- tion or Amphiboly, but thefe do apper- tain to Logick : The Brethren arcvigi- lant as well in refpeft of difgrace as da4'i mage; it is a very difficult matter tCf cheate and deceive them.
Whereas ethers taice the liberty tolff cozen a cozener, and think it a piece oi qj juftice to repay in the fame coyne 5 The ji, Brethren are not {o revengful, they count ,(j it an happineffc to have an opportunity ^j, of exprcrting their patience 4 yet althougt jj they are as innocent as Doves,they endea* „ vour to be as wife as Serpents, for there f|, may be an harmtlclfe fubti Ity. We may 1,,^ judge cafily that they aifeft not vanity [,f by the often chancre of their apparel, ^j becaufe they would not be known, bu^ ,j^ obfcurc their names and relation. yj^
If the intentions are fmcere not there- j by to wrong any one but to do gooa. ^^J we may allow not onely of a difguife iq ^^j cloaths, but a change of names ; th| |j^ fign doth not alter the thing Signified; neither doth an Accident deftroy the Subftance. N^nies are notes by which one man is known and diftingui(hed from another, cloaths arc coverings aiL^ the one hides our nakedneffc, (o the
othej
of the RofecrHciam. 97
other keeps from obfciirity. The An- cient Philofophers and jiEgyptian preifls did wear a linnen white robe which di- linguifhed them from others, as F^tbago-* ras and his followers, to expreis both the irUanlinefs of body, and unfpotted inno-. :ency of foul. Nature hath fo befriended bme birds that they change both voice md feathers in the Winter, and thertby ^eiiig not known, are fafe from other i-avenous birds : In fome Counteries lares become white in the Winter, buc n Summer keep their wonted colours. The Camelio.i by being like no tvery hing (hee comes neer doth often efcape, he Ants and many Infects have wings
f^ nd can fcarcely be known what they firll
^" vere , fo happy is that change which uides to fafety.
f*! Shall reafon withfland the lawfull di- tates of Niture ? where neceilicy Corn- ells, cuftome forces, (hall men run upon
^^ he one, and to their damage flight the ther ? The Brethren being in all points
^^fareful, will neither violate Natures Commands, nor contemn civill rights, lough they alter their apparrcil, their
i^^ lind is unchangeable.
(if
^« H CHAP.
98 The Myfieries andLarpes
^^
Chap. XIV. '
lo
J
The third Law enjoy nes each Brothefi ri to appeare on a particular dafy and »Q at a certain place every yeer ^ tha§ " they may all meet together and con* , fnlt about their affairs. [j^
■ t;
EVery Society hath Lawes and rulef ^ binding them to fome Duties, (o that \ the Governour or chief when he plcafetb i and thinks it neceflary may fummons all st to one place toconfider what is modfkx and convenient to be done on fome im- fi mergent occafions, for if a company be '? feparated, their minds tndCouncells ar« li disjoyned, the one cannot be hejpfull tc 1( the other cither in example or advice, ir who knows not that moft intimate fami* it liarity, and the niereft friendfliip isbro- " ken oflfby abfence,and want of vifitaiion ci fo that they who were not long fine higheft in our though c 5 are utterly for ti
gotCfi
vfthe Rofecruchni. 99
jotceii) befides , wherein can a friend
►rofit, who is di^ant from another, cvea
brethren become as ic were annarurall
/hen thus feparated ; we Confefs that
etters may lupply this defeft, yet writing
oth not fo much delight and enliven, as
ifcourfe, papers are mute, if any doubt
b rife they cannot frame a ready anfwer,
^ ut where a man appeares, he can refolve
L 11 QucOions, fatisfie all fcruples.
Wherefore the Brethren of the R. C. " lought it moft expedient , ifnotaltoge- ler requifite to meet at leaft once in the eare in a certain preiixed place ; This q|( aw as it is the third in order, fo alfo in (1,3 fignity, by which the true Pythagorian if{( QTembly is obliged to appearance,neither jal their meeting vaine and to gaze upon jfj fich others, for they do imitate the rule jD) f Pythagoras yVjho enjoined h*s Schollers n|)irg-y day to examine them felves, where J J, icy had been, and what good memora- ,])( le aft they had performed : fo the Brc- yjf{ iren of the R. C. at their convention re- ^ujj ue what rare cures they have dont,what !|jfO rogrefs they have made in the Arts and ijjjfl ciences, and obferve how their praftice IJDJ grces with their principles ; and if any , for «w knowledge confirmed by oitcn expe-
1 00 7he Myfterks atidtawes
rience comes to them, they write it in Books that it may fafely come to the hands of their fucceffors : Thus true and ; certain learning is cncreafed till at length ^ it (hall attaine to perfeftion. ^
This Schoole is not like to AriftotUfor 'f there, were frequent wrangling difputesi *J one oppofin^ the otherjaird perhaps both °' the Truth, however they have no Qucfti- "' ons free from debate^not contradi6tcd by !° fome of the fame fed : for example °|
What is the foul of man ? whether the '^^ Firft Aft, or fomething elfe, whether lifJ^iKiXtet or ivTtxix^A whether bornige**. nerated, or infufed, given from heaveaP and many Thoufand fuch fobbcriesj andP^ at length they reft in Opinion. ^^
They have therefore framed a Methodc to regulate difputes, andfupply termes whereby they more darken knowledge and willingly (hut their eyes ; Let then difcufs to wearinefs, the nature and ori- [ ginal of Metalls, and whether there cat ?' be a tranfmutation, and who will be bet '^ tcr informed and fatisfied ^ Thus idL Difputation is a fportof Wit, and onelj a recreation of Fancy, nofolid andrca Truth is to be found out by it.
A certain Philofopcr hearing fome dif ^
put^
lis
M
ofihe Rofecmcians. io I
putcWhaiVtrtueisj made anfwer that as they could not come to an end of the iQueftion , lo neither to the ufe thereof: lif any one proftfles hemfelfe to have skill in Phyficks, why then doth he not let the world fee what he can doe ^ and laying afide vain babling^ perfeft the great work of natural tin^ure, but by chance he will utterly deny that there is any fuch thing :o be found out, and hereby gets a cloak or his ignorance, for he will cenfure all which he knowes not.
But who will call him an horfman, vho ya did never ride > who will call lim a Smith, who never wrought in that Art ? and why fliould we tfteeme him i i^hilofopher, who hath never experienced lis philofophy , but hath onely uttered !ome foolilh and fantaftical words. ^
But fome may here objci^ that one part ,)f Philofophy is contemplative, to which Vlathematicks and Metaphyficks doe re- bate, the other confifts in Aftion,to which Sthicks and Politicks doe guide, flata vas difpleafed that Mathematicks were )rought to feniible Subjects, as Arithma* ick to Numbers, Mufick to Sounds, Geo- netry to Meafures, but we muft acknow^ jedge chat he in this was envious to man-
/ kind^
to 5 T^^ Myjteries and Larvcs
kind, and in his pailion prevailed overt^i his reaion : For whtt profittcth it any lilt l«an by meer fpeculation to view the niif- H terles of God ind Nature ? is it a moreifio commendable thing to thinke well, thenjdo to be good ? the fame holds true in Phy-to ficksffor barely to contemplate of it is^* unufefull> fo abfurd and ridiculous, how can you call that a trueCaufe, of which you never faw an effeft > There hath becnai Tome ancient Philofophers who have feai-ih ched after experimental knowledge, andai lUidied more Nature then Art, more the things then thefignification and Name, ajin the MagitJans amongft thep^r/rawi, th Bracmanes amidft the Indians^ and th^tli Priefls in Egjft : and now the Brethren o; Iv. C. in Gn^nany, Thus wee fee plainl) they meet for a good end, for each Coup ffi hath its appointed time in which iuftic may be duely execiJt(d, and no wrong further heightned ; The Brethren afleiii' ble to vindicate abu fed Nature, tofettl Truth in her power, and chiefly that the;|iDi may with one accord return thanks t God for revealing fuch myfterics to them if any man is promoted to an high Offici and negle6^s or contemnes theCeremonic and circumflances of admlHion^the Princ
wii
cfthe Rofecmciant. 103
n^ill immediately put him out as one ileighting his favours and fcorning of Mm : (o fince God hath been plcafed to lonour thefe Brethren with fuch rare en- dowments, and they (hould not appearc coibtw their gratitude, He might juftly cake from them Hi J Talent , and make them fubjeds of His wrath.
This Law hath a Limitation if they cannot appeare, they rauft either by o- chers their Brethren, or by letters tell the :aure of their abfence, for infirmity, fick- lefsy or any other extraordinary cafualty may hinder their journey.
Wee cannot fet down the places where they meet, neither the time, Ihavefome- itimcsobfervedOlympick Houfes not far from a river and a known City which wee think is called 5. Spirim^ Imeane Helican or Ternafius in which Fegafm o- pencd a fpring of everflowing water, wherein Diana walh'd her Celfe, to whom Vinm was handmaid, and Saturne Gentlc- raan-ufher : This will fufBcicntly inftruft an Intellgent reader, but more confound I the ignorant.
.^ CHAP.
104 ^^^ Mjijleries and Lawes
Chap; XV.
Concerning the fourth tavfi^ that every Brother pjallchufe afitperfonfer his Succejjonr after his deceafe^ that tht Fraternity may he continued.
All things in the world have their yl ctffitudes and changes, what was today is not to niorrow, and this appears tnoj) of all in mankind, who are as fure opcc to die, as they at prefent do live, where fore God out of his heavenly Providence granted General i n and propagatioDj that thongh Indivioualls do perifh , y^l the Species may ftill be preferved. Anid this is that innate principle which istb Caufe cf Multiplication, fo tha: Plants Annimals, Minerals, and man the noblei Creature (hall to the end of the world b encreai'd. Many phiofophers have com plained of the fhortncfs of roans life^whc though he be more excellent then others
V€
of the Rofecruciam. t o 5
yet he lives not their ages. The Eagle, the raven, the Lion and what not , dures longer then man, as though Nature was la ftepmother to him^ and the others were he iitrue progeny.
Wherefore iince that the Brethren, be- ing Mortals, muft certainly once ceafe to be, and undergoe the common Lot oi \ their Nature ; their wife Lawmaker did not rafhly make this Law, that each Bro- ther (hould chofe to himfelfe a fit perfon to be his ^ucceflTour: in which choice they do not look to the obligations offriendsj their natural relation neither to Sonnes or Brethren,but purely to Qualifications, as Learning, fecrecy, Piety and other fuch like endowments.
Amongft the Egyptians the Tonnes did not onely inherit their Fathers eflate, but ufed the fame trade and imployment, the Sonne of a potter, was a potter, a Smiths fonne was a Smith : But the Kings were chofenout from amongft thePritfts, the Pfiefts from amidft the Philofophers, and the Philofophers were alwaies Sonnes of Philofophers, but many times there hap- ned a great difference of parts between the Son and Father 5 outward Goods may be conveyed to pofterity, and the Son may i be